Labour is asking employers and workers across the North East to help write an industrial strategy which will be a key part of the general election manifesto.

Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah is overseeing the consultation in her role as a shadow business minister, alongside Shadow Business Secretary Clive Lewis.

The consultation will help the party draw up policies for the entire country and one of the questions Labour is considering is how to ensure that economic growth is balanced regionally so that jobs and wealth come to the North as well as to London and the south east.

Ms Onwurah highlighted the announcement earlier this month that AEI Cables in Birtley, Gateshead, is ending production with the loss of 185 jobs, and said a future Labour government needed an industrial strategy that would prevent this type of closure.

AEI cables based in Birtley, Gateshead

She said: “That’s a tragedy for the workers and the community, and further weakens our industrial foundations.

“Preventing this sort of disaster requires a clear and positive vision for our economic future with specific measures so people, communities, and businesses have the certainty to plan for a prosperous future.

“Tied up with undeliverable Brexit promises and internal Tory party bickering, it’s clear that the government is neither capable of nor interested in providing this.”

Labour said it wants to hear proposals for ways a future government could work with employers, trade unions, universities and others to create an economy that is “prosperous and competitive” and that “leaves no one behind”.

Priorities include backing successful industries such as advanced manufacturing, the automotive sector, aerospace, digital industries, bio-technologies and the cultural and creative industries.

Labour also said the industrial strategy must be designed to “take our whole country with it”.

MP Chi Onwurah

A paper published by Labour’s shadow industry team said: “Expanding our economy’s centre of gravity from London is a necessity, to Londoners suffering a cost of living crisis, as much as for the regions left behind.”

And it said a future government should “unlock the potential” of towns and villages, in contrast to what Labour said is the Government’s focus on big cities.

Labour also said it was committed to supporting employees by ensuring training was available, and creating a “healthy business culture” by encouraging firms to take a long-term view rather than aiming for short-term profits.

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The North East has the worst economic output in England, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. Output per person is £18,927 in the North East, lower than in any part of the UK except for Wales and significantly lower than the South East figure of £27,847.

However, the economy is growing in the North East faster than in most other parts of the country.

Ms Onwurah said: “We need an industrial strategy to deliver the high-skill, high-wage economy the British people want.

“Whilst the Government dithers around Tory party internal politics, Labour is getting on with the job. Our industrial strategy will be challenge-led, mission-orientated, values-driven and reflect the contributions of stakeholders large and small. Please get involved and have your say on the jobs of the future.”